Spurrier unhappy with attention from ESPN

Steve Spurrier was happy early Thursday afternoon after 18 of his former players turned in mostly good performances during South Carolina’s annual Pro Timing Day.

The Gamecocks head coach was not as pleased later in the day when he turned on his television to see that Southern Cal’s Pro Timing Day was being broadcast live by ESPN.

“I noticed both USCs had their pro timing day today,” Spurrier told The State. “One of them finished No. 7 in the country last year, the other was not in the Top 25, yet ESPN decided to go out to the one in California which did not finish in the Top 25 and televise their pro timing day live. It’s interesting that (ESPN doesn’t) come around here on signing day, they don’t come around here on pro timing day, and yet they want us to play all these Thursday night games for them, which we do.

“Maybe we need to consider playing on that new network, what is it? FoxSports Live?”

It’s actually FoxSports 1, and Spurrier’s displeasure won’t have any impact on the Southeastern Conference’s long-term television contract with ESPN, but Spurrier hopes his point is heard.

“They don’t give us any lovin’ do they?” he asked. “It’s irritating.”

The Gamecocks open the 2013 schedule against North Carolina on Aug. 29 in a game that will be broadcast by ESPN.